This was my first DSLR camera and if you're a beginner on a budget this is a great place to start. Got it with the 18-70mm 'kit' lens and they make a great combo. If you want a great (and cheap) portrait setup grab a 50mm 1.8 as it really shines on this body.

The AF is nothing flash (5 points and 1.5 fps) but I shot a lot football (Aussie rules) with this and 70-200VR and it does surprising well even just using dynamic AF mode.

One thing I used a lot was the 1/500 flash sync feature which is really handy when using fill flash in bright conditions.

The noise is noticeable even at ISO200 in the shadows and in poor light I wouldn't shoot any higher than ISO800. In good light with good glass ISO800 is quite good. One thing I found was that it didn't handle black or dark suits to well at weddings and apart from noise you also get some banding if you underexpose even a little. Certainly the D300 is much better in this regard and is also at least 1 stop cleaner than the D70s.

Build quality is good and I've even shot in moderately heavy rain for 30 minutes or more without covers and it never bothered it at all.

Overall IQ is excellent with good colour but you will want to shoot ISO200-400 for best results. I shoot mainly macro and you will be surprised how much detail this lowly 6mp sensor can capture with a dedicated macro lens (I use the Tamron 90). While the DR is noticeably less than the D300 if you shot RAW and use Capture NX you can still pull a reasonable amount of detail out of shadows or recover detail from blown highlights (1 stop either as a general rule).

The LCD is pretty small and dingy compared to the newer bodies and you can't judge critical sharpness like you can with the D300 display.

Overall a great a little camera and perfect for newbies IMO.

Cheers
Leigh

Feb 6, 2009

ray_lam5OfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Sep 18, 2005Location: United KingdomPosts: 71

Review Date: Dec 3, 2008

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $200.00
| Rating: 9

Pros:

nice size, great user interface, lens compatibility, good images in low iso, high shutter speeds great for sport

Cons:

Tends to clip highlights a bit too often for my liking, small lcd, high iso is noisey

I picked up a brand new camera for a couple of quid since no one wants old technology. Compared to my previous d50/d200 this camera id say produces slightly poorer results tending to clip highlights more frequently. Images seem better underexposed a stop or two and using raw.

I use this alongside a D40x and am enjoying the experience.
A pretty good camera even by todays standards.

I think this is an excellent all-around performing DSLR for its price-range. This body handles excellently and offers a lot of strong points for someone looking to explore a lot of different aspects of photography. While it doesn't match modern high ISO standards or speed capabilities, this cam has a LOT of offer and grow into.

Jul 1, 2008

bgorumOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: May 8, 2006Location: United StatesPosts: 166

Review Date: Jun 1, 2008

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Excellent picture quality, small and light weight, fantastic battery life.

Cons:

Really crappy viewfinder, (DK-21M magnifying eyepiece helps). Important controls like switching from AF-S to AF-C are buried in menus.

This was my first digital SLR. At the time I bought it I was using F3 and F100 film cameras. It had been a while since I had used one of Nikon's "amateur" cameras and I knew I would be stepping down in terms of usability. So I kept my F100 figuring I would use it when I needed a "real" camera. Once I started shooting with the D70s however the F100 just sat on a shelf gathering dust. Despite having a tiny, difficult to use viewfinder and important controls not always readily accessible the image quality and the fun of using the camera soon made me a fan. I would definitely recommend this camera to someone seeking their first digital SLR. I think it is a better choice for the serious photographer than the later D40, 50, or 60 models that lack important feature like depth of field preview or the ability to auto-focus older AF lenses.

Jun 1, 2008

pythagoras345OfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Mar 10, 2008Location: NetherlandsPosts: 0

Review Date: Mar 10, 2008

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

never failed, good picture quality

Cons:

none

I own my d70s since december 2006 and it never failed. I even took it to the summit of the Mont Blanc (4800m) and in cold storm (-10, without windchill) it worked fine. I process all my nef's (5-6 mb) in DXO optics pro and onOne fractals and the results are stunning on A3+ prints.

Mar 10, 2008

camerapapiOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Oct 15, 2002Location: United StatesPosts: 4896

Review Date: Jan 10, 2008

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $430.00
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Light, excellent image quality, terrific meter.

Cons:

Cannot think of any (in my case)

I have been shooting with the D70s for about 7 months now. I fell in love with the camera since the first day I used it. I immediately noticed the excellent exposures and how good it was for traveling because of the light weight and size. My first trip to Toronto with it proved everything I have heard and read about the camera.
Although many photographers do not like or use AUTO Program modes I find them very convenient at times. Portrait and Action modes work very well for me. I have not tried others modes but I am sure they are also very good and convenient when you do not want to fool around with controls.
Coming from older cameras the self rotating image feature was a welcome change. The fact that the camera can be fired with a cable release was also a welcome feature. The use of the in camera flash as the main command to another flash like the SB-600 (that I own) is very convenient also and the results could be spectacular when properly used.
Battery life is simply awesome. I have spent several days shooting with the camera in the field without even once changing the battery.
AF is good enough for me and reasonably fast with AF-S lenses for action photography or wildlife. No, it is not a CAM-2000.
RAW files are great and my usual enlargements to 13x19 have been of excellent quality full of colors and details.
This camera is a little gem. It is not a camera known to have good protection against the elements but mine has been in the rain, high humidity, heat and freezing temperatures and never failed doing its job.
I am very happy with it and it compliments my D2H very nicely.
I highly recommend it.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.

This camera has surprised me quite much and even today i use it as back up to Nikon D1H,D2Hs,and soon D3/300,I think its thats good ! and it is also easy to carry around the list of my positive aspects i have already written(see above);in short i think its much better than the Nikon D100,D50,D40,D40X (some of them has NOT the motor inside !)and for some kind of work even the D1H or The D1X,i also think its better than Canons 10D,20D and alike mainly because of the genius Nikon Wireless flash controlsystem and more details neccesary for true PJ work.
Some says its too slow for sports i do not agree and i have used this D70s(in rainy weather too =no probs at all(its soo tight made) !, with The Nikkor 200mm VR F2 with very good results, you only have to pre focus and shoot away.!
I use this camera very much on assignments and it continues to surprise me although i plan to buy the new Nikon DSLRs soon; the NikonD3 and Nikon D300,i will still keep this Nikon D70s as a back up. as i i think it has all the good things i love about the Nikons and a little more.

The Nikon D70s DSLR is so good so i jumped one generation over (The Nikon D200!)

Its a true gem and a classic.

Dec 26, 2007

elvisayOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 7, 2007Location: United StatesPosts: 43

Review Date: Oct 22, 2007

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

I've had it for 2 years and I am very happy with it. It is my back up camera, I also have the D80. You can feel confident with it!

Cons:

No IS0 100

It was my first DSLR camera and I've learned a lot with it, while I was studying photography. My dream is the new D3, but I'm happy with both cameras.

Oct 22, 2007

jeffleeOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Feb 23, 2005Location: United StatesPosts: 811

Review Date: Jun 1, 2007

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $800.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Great Raw image quality, light weight, two wheels, great flash w/SB800, over all a great camera....

Cons:

Focus speed....

I just got a D200, however I've put 30K of images on my D70 since jan of 2005.

I love this camera. I'm keeping it as my second body and as my "point and shoot". This is a durable camera that once you learn how to use it, produces images that easily go 13 x 19 with great color and sharpness.

There is only one subject that I really had to work at to get great shots - birds in flight. But you could learn how to do it, but it did take work.

The number of shots per battery charge, the various modes (I never used the "scenes") and the fantatistic flash control.

I love the spot metering and how light but strong the camera is.

It has been a great camera, and I will use it until it no longer functions. I know a few that have gone 70 to 100K exposures and I hope that mine does too. Not only is it a very good imaging platform, but it was a great way to jump into digital with user friendly camera.

Jun 1, 2007

Tim AshtonOfflineImage Upload: On

Registered: Dec 26, 2006Location: AustraliaPosts: 3266

Review Date: Jan 24, 2007

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Value/tough/quality

Cons:

wish I could afford a D200

My initial entry into world of digital. If budget allowed would swap for D200 but am amazed at its capabilities. Have graduated to shooting in RAW using Bibble 4.9 and am getting A4 at exhibition quality. it has spent more miles than I care to remember in the back of toyota landcruisers on roads that dont deserve the name and it just keeps on shooting. I have had it for 6000 + frames and two years and despite its lack of sealing goes out in light rain and dust. lots of dust. Amazing value at the time with traditional Nikon toughness.

I got mine used, body only for $450, which is great. The kit lens is what makes this camera more than the 350D.

The camera is light, but very sturdy. I've dropped it a few times on pavement, and it didn't complain.

I wish the ISO range was better, and I wish ISO noise was not as noticeable.

Overall, it's a great camera, and I would recommend it.

Jan 1, 2007

ColMofedOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Oct 12, 2004Location: United KingdomPosts: 626

Review Date: Oct 24, 2006

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Easy to use, Command dial & sub command dial work excellently together, comfortable to hand hold, very reliable, battery life is excellnt, Spot meter, 2 years old and still going strong. Noise good up to ISO400.

Cons:

Not much for the price and market it is aimed at. No ISO100, unbearably noise in high ISO's (800 and above).

All the excellent ratings I have given above take into account the price and market the D70 is aimed at.

The only real negative is the noise at high ISO's. But, if you get your exposure dead on using high ISO's it's not too bad. Under exposing and brightening the image in PP will 'expose' terrible noise at ISO800 and above.

That said, I have had this camera for 2 years now and it is still a great camera. I can't say that I've always been careful with it either - it has taken a few bangs on tree branches etc, been rained on (not too extensively mind) and taken a few other knocks over this time. I wouldn't recommend being to careless with it though as you may void the warranty

I can't think of anything else to say that has not already been said. I also can't think of any reason to upgrade to a higher mega pixel, faster frame rate yet, so hopefully it will last me another good few years to come. And even if I do upgrade (for reasons other than camera failure) I will still keep the D70 as either a second/back-up, or just for sentimental reasons.

If I was in the market now for my first DSLR I would probably go for the D80 (for the higher MP) or even a Canon, for the low ISO on the budget models. But I'm glad I chose the D70 and have absolutely no regrets.

Oct 24, 2006

NikonAndyOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Apr 10, 2006Location: United StatesPosts: 1891

Review Date: Oct 10, 2006

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $800.00
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Great body layout, easy to get around, sub and main dials work fantastic together. No problems here with build quality, it has been quite a trooper. Can produce pro quality work. Battery life is unbelievable.

Cons:

No ISO 100. Noisy after ISO 800. Not designed for battery/vertical shutter grip.

Wonderful camera. I use it for weddings primarily. Needs a bit of PP to get the most out of it's images, but it's always a good idea to PS your shots anyway IMO.

Battery life is crazy. I have a spare, and I've never used it. 8 hour shoots, RAW, lots of setting adjustments, doesn't phase it.

This camera is unbeatable for the price. Without going to the D200 it's a great step up from the D50 with it's sub and main dials and 1/8000sec shutter. It's really cool having the ISO step up in 1/3 EV steps, too.

I wish this camera was built to have the battery grip with vertical shutter release, though. The D50 doesn't have this either. This is my only real problem with the camera.

A great choice for an amateur or pro.

Oct 10, 2006

williamkazakOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 8, 2006Location: United StatesPosts: 6444

Review Date: Oct 5, 2006

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $900.00
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Lightweight.Versatile.Handles as easily as any film camera.Lots of controls to grow with and they are in the right places.Pros can use it too.Adjustments available for most any situation.Rugged.Nikon AF lenses.Battery life is great.Color mode choices available.Great value.

I have been using the D70 for a couple of years.I even bought the D70s because I like this camera so much.I use it for the beach and for weddings.It is that versatile.A friend of mine has built his wedding business upon this camera.
The camera shoots fast enough for me.The battery life is amazing.This camera works and there is no need for snob appeal.Portraits go slightly toward the red.This is corrected in Photoshop.I recommend it.

I bought my D70 in oct 2004, so it's nearly 2 years old now. Still going strong with over 30,000 exposures done. Great strengths are its overall speed, base image quality (both NEF and JPEG) and battery life.

As you grow to learn to use it as a day to day tool, the appreciation of its design begins to grow too. The controls, the features, the menu, the main and sub command dial, the iTTL-flash CLS functions: it all works seamlessly together to being a great tool.

These days the D70 has seen some successors in the D70s (larger screen), D80 and D200 (more speed, MP and features) and in a smaller brother which is the D50.

Still, after almost two years, the D70 performs great and if I'd have to choose again without any glass, I'd make the same choice.

Oct 2, 2006

Radeon-888OfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Oct 9, 2005Location: CanadaPosts: 0

Review Date: Sep 8, 2006

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 1

Pros:

excellent cam but poorly built.

Cons:

Made in Thailand. Poor Quality control. Went to NIkon service and didnt come back for 3 months. Blinking Light of death plagued mine.

BGLOD inflicted mine while on a 2 month vacation. I dumped it soon after. Made in Thailand = junk...After that bought a Canon.